This blog entry was written by my really good friend Josh Gartenberg from PetSittingOlogy.com. Josh and his wife Alitia started their pet sitting business, Alitia’s Animals in New York, a couple of years ago and in their first year they provided over $100,000 in pet sitting services. Amazing! They took this knowledge and created the PetSittingOlogy course. This course gives pet sitters all the tools, guidance and resources needed to become a responsible, caring and much-appreciated sitter. I’m a PetSittingOlogy alumni and let me tell you…there is nothing like it! If you want to learn how to start a pet business, or how to run a better business, then PetSittingOlogy is for you!

Live Nude Comedy

“What? Did he just write – “

Yep, this entire post is about Live Nude Comedy. Intrigued? Want to know more? Wondering how this relates to growing your pet sitting business? Then let’s get this show on the road.

It’s funny (pun intended) how three words – Live Nude Comedy – strategically put together can become the basis for an incredibly effective marketing campaign. It’s the work of a genius, really.

I Got Roped In Too!

Late one night, I was about to turn off the TV and head to bed just I saw a commercial for a show about to begin called ‘Live Nude Comedy.’ Naturally, I needed to see what this was all about.

As it turns out, it’s a 30-minute program on Showtime that was really nothing more than a couple of stand-up comics performing fully clothed, as they usually do. In between the two comedy acts, the audience was treated to a PG-style burlesque performance (I suppose that’s the nude part).

Live Nude Comedy Pet Sitting?

Well, not quite.

But there is plenty to learn here. Do you see the brilliance in their marketing? The very lifeline of this show is based solely on its marketing – the show’s title.

If the creators would have called it “Comedy Hour” or “Stand-Up Night” would they have half the viewers they have? Of course not.

But the people behind the scenes understand the power of a good marketing campaign. Naming your show ‘Live Nude Comedy’ immediately elicits a visual, an emotional, and curios response.

And that, my fellow pet sitters, is exactly what you want your pet sitting business to do for your potential clients.

Whether it’s with a creative and memorable business name, part of your web design, or in the words of your web content, your goal should be to draw the visitor in and pique their interest and curiosity.

The Live Nude Comedy Technique In Practice

So, what are some actual ways to achieve this?  Glad you asked.  Let’s look at 3 various ways you can rope your visitors in and turn them into happy, repeat clients.

1: Business Name: Annie’s Pet Sitting vs. Spiral Simon Pet Sitting

What happened when you read those two business names? More specifically, what went through your mind when you read ‘Spiral Simon?’  Take a moment now and think about how it made you feel, what it made you think and what action you’d want to take. I bet at the very least you’d want to visit the website and see what’s going on.

Now consider your reaction to ‘Annie’s Pet Sitting.’

In order to succeed with something like Spiral Simon, your name doesn’t even have to be Simon (or Spiral for that matter).  It just needs to spark a feeling or emotion in your potential clients that excites them to dig deeper, learn more and take action.

2: Web Design:  Professional and Unique vs. Not So Much

Is your website professionally designed?  Does it leave your competition in the dust?  Does it evoke an emotion in your visitors that inspire them to pick up the phone and call you? You want every one of your site visitors to take a step back as soon as they arrive at your website and think, “Oh, well what have we here…!?”

Your website may be the first interaction you have with a potential client.  It also may be the only interaction.  What impression are you leaving them with?  It’s one thing to get visitors to your site.  It’s an entirely different thing to inspire those visitors to pick up the phone and call.

3: Web Content: Dull and Flat vs. Alluring and Captivating

Does your personality shine through every word of your site? Do your descriptions leap off the page and force your potential clients to shout, “Yes! I want that service!” (It’s possible.) Consider your ‘about me’ page. Does it really do you justice or is it just about the animals you had as a child? Does it relate to (and speak to) your ideal client, or does it leave the reader thinking, “So…?”

Does your services page read like a menu from a Chinese take-out restaurant? Or does it have the spice of General Tso’s Chicken?

Get creative. Instead of “Dog Walking: $20,” come up with an exciting title for the service and write a paragraph that includes exactly what you and the pooch will experience together on that walk. Do you watch “I Survived A Japanese Game Show?” How clever, creative, and memorable are those game titles? (That’s nothing more than marketing, too.)

Creative writing and copywriting is an art form. Learn the techniques of good writing, or hire a writer (they can be hired for a very reasonable fee) who can take your words and add some zing to the mix.

It’s All In The Packaging

If you are struggling in your business to find new clients, you very well may need to reconsider how you package your pet sitting business. Consider how you market every aspect of your business and adjust as necessary. If what you are currently doing is not working, change it.

It also may be wise to invest some (dare I say) money into your business. Investing money strategically into your pet sitting business will be the best money you ever invest (notice I didn’t say spend).

As American advertising executive Leo Burnett said, “Make it simple. Make it memorable. Make it inviting to look at. Make it fun to read.”

At the end of the day, poor marketing efforts may result in having plenty of time to watch all the Live Nude Comedy you can handle.

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